John 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
Oh Friends, I feel in a praising, thankful mood, so let’s give some nuh. My knees aren’t much better, and I have to find a new specialist because the one I was scheduled to see is retiring soon, so they’re not making any new appointments. But overall, life is good and I’m counting on God’s promise to boost my weakness with His strength, so anytime the knees fail, the Lord will pick me up. ‘Consequently Lord, we want to thank and praise you for all the good things you’re doing in our lives. It would be nice if life could be perfect, without all the problems and frustrations. But Lord we know that’s not the reality of the situation. And anyway, with you to LOVE and guide us, there’s nothing for us to be afraid of, for with your might and power nothing or no one can harm us. Oh Father, we pray for peace in our turmoil filled world. Oh how badly it’s needed! Please guide our leaders along the paths of peace, and not war, as they are currently aligned. Help us to stand strong and walk worthy of you. We pray this in Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.’ Oh Friends, it’s not a spectacular prayer, but if we can only get believers to stand strong, be obedient to God’s will and acquire a modicum of peace in our world…then we’re winning! Now here’s a quote from Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864) the English writer and poet, which caught my attention today. ‘There is no more certain sign of a narrow mind, of stupidity, and of arrogance, than to stand aloof from those who think differently from us.’ Isn’t that an awesome truth Friends? It certainly is! And that attitude, one of inflexible behaviour is greatly responsible for keeping our world in such turmoil, running down a catastrophic path to destruction. We all have certain beliefs we uphold and are vigorously opposed to others, even to the point of war. Why can’t we all just get along eh? (smile) And it is possible for us to all live in basic peace and harmony, if we’d only get over the fear of other ideas. We don’t have to like or accept them, or those that hold them, but we certainly shouldn’t fear them, because it leads to exactly what’s happening in our world today; excessive strife and disharmony. Sadly, most of it is based on different ideas and beliefs vigorously propagated to instil fear in others; fear of their lifestyle being changed, of the loss of certain rights and freedoms, etc. etc. The problem though my people is not a simple one. That’s because some of us are obsessed with power, and also having our ideas and beliefs become public policy. I guess that’s one of the reasons the Pharisees and the ruling elite of the Jewish people rejected Jesus. He wanted to change their lifestyle, to impose His message on their society, which in effect would have curtailed their power, authority and wealth. As a result, one of the ways to try and disparage or discredit Him was to seek signs and wonders to prove His assertion of being the Son of God. But we all know that Jesus did show numerous signs and wonders to His people, yet many still did not believe. So what was the point of asking for signs and wonders then eh? Even after Jesus left earth, His followers continued doing signs and wonders in His Name. ‘And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following (accompanying signs). Amen’ (Mark 16:20) Bruh Paul also did numerous unbelievable things. At Ephesus, it is written: ‘And God wrought special (unusual) miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.’ (Acts 19:11-12) Bruh Paul himself stated in his letter to the Roman Church: ‘Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.’ (Rom.15:19) But in spite of the many signs and wonders done and shown by the leaders of the early Church, many still refused to believe, partly because of their inflexible mindset, and partly because accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour would have meant a total change of their lifestyle. And there’s nothing we humans hate or fear more than change. But here’s a plausible theory put forward by the scholars, re the need of signs and wonders in the early days of Christ’s Church. They compare them to scaffolding on a construction project. Just as we need scaffolds to aid in erecting a building, they claim that the signs and wonders Jesus and His disciples did, were aids in building the Word; ‘spiritual scaffolding used by God to give credibility to His revelation which became the foundation of the Church. When the written Word of God was complete, God removed the scaffolding.’ That’s why we don’t see as many miracles and wonders today. The foundation of the Church has already been laid. Jesus has already set the direction that He wants us to follow, so we don’t, or ought not to need many signs and wonders for us to believe we’re on the right path. Anyway, we’ll close with some definitive words on the subject from Hebrews. ‘Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (drift away). For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast (proved), and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (penalty); How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers (various) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.’ (Heb.2:1-4) Yes my people, we’d indeed be foolish to miss out on so great a salvation by neglecting the Word and all its wonderful signs, wonders and promises. So let’s be wise nuh, and simply accept them as what they truly are…the Truth of God. Till next time, let’s walk in peace and LOVE, believing and enjoying the wonderful blessings so generously bestowed on us by the magnanimous God we serve. Much LOVE!…the signs and wonders of the past…are still very applicable to our times today…
Oh Friends, I feel in a praising, thankful mood, so let’s give some nuh. My knees aren’t much better, and I have to find a new specialist because the one I was scheduled to see is retiring soon, so they’re not making any new appointments. But overall, life is good and I’m counting on God’s promise to boost my weakness with His strength, so anytime the knees fail, the Lord will pick me up. ‘Consequently Lord, we want to thank and praise you for all the good things you’re doing in our lives. It would be nice if life could be perfect, without all the problems and frustrations. But Lord we know that’s not the reality of the situation. And anyway, with you to LOVE and guide us, there’s nothing for us to be afraid of, for with your might and power nothing or no one can harm us. Oh Father, we pray for peace in our turmoil filled world. Oh how badly it’s needed! Please guide our leaders along the paths of peace, and not war, as they are currently aligned. Help us to stand strong and walk worthy of you. We pray this in Jesus’ Holy name. Amen.’ Oh Friends, it’s not a spectacular prayer, but if we can only get believers to stand strong, be obedient to God’s will and acquire a modicum of peace in our world…then we’re winning! Now here’s a quote from Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864) the English writer and poet, which caught my attention today. ‘There is no more certain sign of a narrow mind, of stupidity, and of arrogance, than to stand aloof from those who think differently from us.’ Isn’t that an awesome truth Friends? It certainly is! And that attitude, one of inflexible behaviour is greatly responsible for keeping our world in such turmoil, running down a catastrophic path to destruction. We all have certain beliefs we uphold and are vigorously opposed to others, even to the point of war. Why can’t we all just get along eh? (smile) And it is possible for us to all live in basic peace and harmony, if we’d only get over the fear of other ideas. We don’t have to like or accept them, or those that hold them, but we certainly shouldn’t fear them, because it leads to exactly what’s happening in our world today; excessive strife and disharmony. Sadly, most of it is based on different ideas and beliefs vigorously propagated to instil fear in others; fear of their lifestyle being changed, of the loss of certain rights and freedoms, etc. etc. The problem though my people is not a simple one. That’s because some of us are obsessed with power, and also having our ideas and beliefs become public policy. I guess that’s one of the reasons the Pharisees and the ruling elite of the Jewish people rejected Jesus. He wanted to change their lifestyle, to impose His message on their society, which in effect would have curtailed their power, authority and wealth. As a result, one of the ways to try and disparage or discredit Him was to seek signs and wonders to prove His assertion of being the Son of God. But we all know that Jesus did show numerous signs and wonders to His people, yet many still did not believe. So what was the point of asking for signs and wonders then eh? Even after Jesus left earth, His followers continued doing signs and wonders in His Name. ‘And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following (accompanying signs). Amen’ (Mark 16:20) Bruh Paul also did numerous unbelievable things. At Ephesus, it is written: ‘And God wrought special (unusual) miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.’ (Acts 19:11-12) Bruh Paul himself stated in his letter to the Roman Church: ‘Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.’ (Rom.15:19) But in spite of the many signs and wonders done and shown by the leaders of the early Church, many still refused to believe, partly because of their inflexible mindset, and partly because accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour would have meant a total change of their lifestyle. And there’s nothing we humans hate or fear more than change. But here’s a plausible theory put forward by the scholars, re the need of signs and wonders in the early days of Christ’s Church. They compare them to scaffolding on a construction project. Just as we need scaffolds to aid in erecting a building, they claim that the signs and wonders Jesus and His disciples did, were aids in building the Word; ‘spiritual scaffolding used by God to give credibility to His revelation which became the foundation of the Church. When the written Word of God was complete, God removed the scaffolding.’ That’s why we don’t see as many miracles and wonders today. The foundation of the Church has already been laid. Jesus has already set the direction that He wants us to follow, so we don’t, or ought not to need many signs and wonders for us to believe we’re on the right path. Anyway, we’ll close with some definitive words on the subject from Hebrews. ‘Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (drift away). For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast (proved), and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (penalty); How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers (various) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.’ (Heb.2:1-4) Yes my people, we’d indeed be foolish to miss out on so great a salvation by neglecting the Word and all its wonderful signs, wonders and promises. So let’s be wise nuh, and simply accept them as what they truly are…the Truth of God. Till next time, let’s walk in peace and LOVE, believing and enjoying the wonderful blessings so generously bestowed on us by the magnanimous God we serve. Much LOVE!…the signs and wonders of the past…are still very applicable to our times today…
SCRIP-BITS 